Brick Approves $583K Sidewalk Project, More Children Expected to Walk to School

Two weeks after approving its participation in a grant program to provide sidewalks for township streets near schools, Brick officials on Tuesday night approved a $583,270 contract for the work.

The project will build sidewalks along the Lanes Mill Road corridor, as well as streets surrounding Herbertsville and Midstreams elementary schools.

Along Lanes Mill Road, sidewalks are currently installed near the three schools along the road (Lanes Mill Elementary, Herbertsville Elementary and Brick Memorial High School) but sometimes abruptly end – for example, at Dunbeck Road just north of Lanes Mill Elementary.

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Construction will be completed by S. Batata Construction, of Parlin, and will be funded through state Safe Routes to School grants.

Councilwoman Lisa Crate said the project could spur as many as two busloads of children to walk or bike to school. As it currently stands, just five students walk and five students bike to Herbertsville; after the project, another 25 students will be able to walk or bike. At Lanes Mill Elementary, 60 students walk or bike, with another 40 able to do so after the project.

Midstreams Elementary School, Crate said, will be able to expand its already popular walking routes. At that school, 175 students walk or bike to school. The project will allow an additional 50 children to avoid the bus.